Project Engineer I/iI

WATER RESOURCES

(5% Additional Pay for Registration as a California Registered Professional Engineer)

OUR COMMUNITY

Santa Barbara is among the world's most desirable places to work and live. Quietly nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara represents the essence of Southern California -- the art and culture of a metropolitan city with the heart and hospitality of a small, beautiful coastal town. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 90,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70s, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a bustling downtown.

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about building trust and high regard with the community by providing quality services. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here .

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices. Provide for the publics needs relative to transportation, water, wastewater, and City owned buildings. Read more about the Department of Public Works here .

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & BEYOND

Whether you have dependents or not, we understand that benefits play an important role in your life. We are committed to meeting the needs of our employees and their families by offering core and flexible benefits for career and life planning. Working at the City of Santa Barbara you can earn an attractive compensation package including:

• Competitive Pay
• Project Engineers are eligible to receive 5% additional pay for registration as a California Professional Engineer.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits

• Dental, Vision, FSA, Life and AD&D coverage, and more!

• Retirement Pension
• Outstanding Paid Time Off
• Flexible Work Schedule
• Commuter Support
• Housing Assistance with the following programs
• Housing Trust of Santa Barbara County
• Coastal Housing Partnership
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives
• Training and Educational Reimbursement

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbaras Public Works Department is seeking a dynamic and knowledgeable Water Resources Project Engineer. Be part of a high performing team that works collaboratively to deliver water resources projects that benefit our community. This position is in the Engineering Division and will support the robust Water and Wastewater capital programs by facilitating delivery of Public Works projects through design and construction and being an integral member of the team in supporting ongoing O&M needs. The Project Engineer will perform the full range of project management, bid, and contract administration for capital improvement projects, maintenance and repair, and O&M projects. Working collaboratively in a dynamic environment, the Project Engineer will serve a vital role in bringing projects to fruition.
Under the guidance of a Supervising Engineer the Project Engineer will manage all aspects of projects, both small and large, primarily focused on water distribution infrastructure and water treatment facilities. Regardless of the scale of the project, the Project Engineer is expected to: develop scopes of work aligned with project goals and ensure support from all stakeholders; develop project budgets and facilitate necessary budgetary actions; manage the selection of consultant support services; administer contracts; maintain financial records and make projections of project costs; coordinate construction activities with other City departments; keep stakeholders informed; involve the client when significant scope and cost changes are needed; manage City support staff and consultants to meet the goals of the project and client divisions; negotiate contract change orders; exercise professional engineering judgment in accordance with current professional practice and appropriate laws and codes; oversee the preparation of technical reports and correspondence; and perform related duties and responsibilities as required. The Project Engineer must communicate effectively amongst stakeholders including, but not limited to, contractors, consultants, client divisions, City management, community members, and outside organizations.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Project Engineer I

Salary: $108,598.88 - $132,003.30 Annually

This is the entry-level class in the Project Engineer series. This class is distinguished from the Project Engineer II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including work on smaller projects, performed under direct supervision. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.

Project Engineer II

Salary: $119,393.56 - $145,123.42 Annually

This is the full journey level class within the Project Engineer series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Project Engineer I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including independent development of engineering designs and managing construction projects. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.

Knowledge of :

• Principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical civil engineering report writing, and bid/permit preparation.
• Materials, tools, and equipment used in civil engineering.
• Principles of mathematics as applied to engineering and land survey work.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding civil engineering. Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including civil engineering laws and regulations.
• Training or some experience in the areas of development approval processes, low impact development, easements and the subdivision map act.
• Experience with modern office procedures, methods, AutoCAD or Civil3D, permitting software, electronic plan review, and computer equipment.
• Specific knowledge of Microsoft Project and the Microsoft Professional Office Suite of software used in the scheduling and managing of projects.

Ability to :

• Develop and review civil engineering plans, designs, specifications, and bid documents.
• Develop project schedules, prepare cost and fee estimates, and perform project management functions.
• Participate in professional journey-level civil engineering activities for assigned projects.
• Perform technical research and solve Water Resources engineering problems.
• Operate contemporary office and engineering software.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with water operators and managers to develop and refine projects.
• Make required presentations to commissions and boards including the Santa Barbara Water Commission.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Project Engineer I: Some civil engineering experience is desirable.

Project Engineer II: Two (2) years of professional civil engineering experience.

Education and/or Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Possession of an appropriate, valid Certificate of Registration as an Engineer in Training in California is desirable .

SELECTION PROCESS

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as See application, Extensive Experience, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Public Works Department.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2025.